Sports Management Degree

A sports management degree is an excellent way for sports enthusiasts to make a living around sports while being on the sidelines. Sports and athletics have developed into their own universe with definitive landscapes, lingo and business requirements, creating an increasingly popular arena in need of quality people to help manage it. A sports management degree will provide proper training for the dynamics of this growing field and target the business and networking aspects of the sports world.

This potential job is not for the faint of heart or those who wish to spend minimal hours at work; it can often require 50-60 hours of your time a week, including weekends and nights. It is a fairly hardcore position in that the output equals the results: Your efforts or lack thereof will clearly show on the outcome of your projects. It requires dedication and passion for the field and sports in general, a willingness to be up front and personal with your team, and a deep, competent knowledge of business as it pertains to sports. You will need knowledge and expertise in many areas of the industry including legal issues, promotions, ticketing, sponsorships and finances.

The field is extensive and the term of sports manager is broad, including many areas of specific study and personal focus. Some of the titles you may carry include:

• Athletic business manager
• Program director
• Fitness manager
• Academic services (student athletics)
• Corporate sales director
• Marketing and promotions director
• Director of ticketing and finance
• Intramural director of campus recreation (colleges/universities)
• Facilities coordinator
• Athletic director
• Compliance director
• Sporting goods sales representative

A sports management degree can place you in the seat of the real action, the hidden magic, as you become the driving force behind putting a team on the field, making them shine, promoting them in the media. It is a highly competitive field with the major end result of making your team gleam the brightest. Those who are adept at sports management will be able to wield authority in a plethora of management and business disciplines, with a well-rounded understanding of how this diverse field works and how best to achieve the desired results.

There are many job opportunities that stem from a sports management degree and a job may include many of these or a select few, such as sports agent or talent scout (headhunter), management, front office, sports marketing, salary cap analyst, digital video editing, media and communications, athletic director, sports broadcasting, public and community relations, track and field management, coaching, ticketing and sponsorship, game day operations, player personnel, sports information director and account manager.

Salaries do not generally start out high, though some placements may be better than others. As you advance, minor and major leagues pay more, respectively. However, this field is so mixed and so many variables come into play, such as commission work, that it is exceedingly difficult to give a prospective sports manager any kind of average return. Your salary may also depend on the team’s winning streak and losses, as more wins means more money from endorsements to help pay your salary, so there are factors well beyond your control that play a crucial part in how much you make.